GOC President backs Tokyo Olympic Games postponement

President of Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), Ben Nunoo Mensah, has backed the decision by the International Olympic Committee to postpone the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The International Olympic Committee called off the games after some participating countries, and organisations made several requests. This was after the host country, Japan’s Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, met with International Olympic Committee President, Thomas Bach, on Tuesday, March 24.

“We agreed that a postponement would be the best way to ensure that the athletes are in peak condition, when they compete and to guarantee the safety of the spectators,” Abe told reporters shortly after his conference call with Bach, adding that the Games would be held by the summer of 2021.

The competition due to begin on 24 July has been postponed for a year because of the global Coronavirus pandemic.

Reacting to the news, the GOC President welcomed the decision, saying in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was a step in the right direction. He said.

“It is good the IOC has reviewed their decision to carry on with the Olympic Games. The IOC was confident the games could come when they met at the Executive meeting two weeks ago considering the time the games will be held. But looking at how things are going it will be unwise to stage the Olympic Games considering the way virus is spreading.” He said.

The GOC President also advised Ghanaian athletes to halt all training programs and remain indoors;

“Athletes should just stay home, there is no need to go out and train”.

“They should please take their time and relax no need to go anywhere”.

“If the games are rescheduled athletes will get more than two months to prepare so they should just stay at home”, he added.